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Marvel’s 'The Avengers' to Be Partially Filmed in Ohio

New governor John Kasich says Cleveland and the state will enjoy "significant economic benefits" at a time when production incentives have come under scrutiny in other states.

NEW YORK - While some states have been reviewing or cutting back on production incentives, Ohio on Friday proudly announced that it has attracted its largest feature film production ever in the form of Marvel's The Avengers.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission said Friday that in conjunction with the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio, it has attracted Marvel Studios to film parts of the superheroes movie in Cleveland.

The movie will be filmed primarily in New Mexico, with Ohio and New York also serving as locations.
It is expected to employ hundreds of Ohio-based cast and crew, state representatives said.

Production incentives have been under scrutiny in such states as Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa and Massachusetts.

The Avengers is not only Ohio's biggest movie project, but also the largest Marvel Studios production to date.
Pre-production is already underway with principal photography scheduled to run from April through September.

"Ohio is thrilled to participate in a project of this size and with such top-notch partners," said new Republican governor John Kasich. "Cleveland, northeast Ohio and the state will enjoy the significant economic benefits of this production thanks to an aggressive, forward-thinking effort by people who spoke the language of the industry and who successfully sold Ohio."

Louis D'Esposito, co-president, Marvel Studios, cited the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit and the efforts of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission as key reasons for the choice of location.

The Ohio Film Tax Credit was passed in July 2009, and a total of twelve projects have been approved to receive tax credits, according to officials. They are expected to employ more than 1,800 cast and crew members and thousands of paid extras, they said. More than $12 million in tax credits have been approved, with more than $17 million still available through June 30, according to the state.

"The boost to the local economy is what we envisioned when we started working with the Film Commission to position Cleveland as a great destination for making films," said Cleveland mayor Frank Jackson.